Any group that features Brazil is sure to be entertaining, with the South American powerhouses looking to claim their record sixth World Cup title in Russia.
Group E should be a pushover for their unparalleled quality, with the other three nations set to battle it out for the second qualifying spot.
Switzerland's defence and Serbia's midfield are among the best in the World Cup, but they lack the depth in other areas. And while a Costa Rican-qualification would seem unlikely, don't forget that they went on a run to the quarters in 2014.
It wouldn't be a World Cup without the iconic gold and blue kit of Brazil. As the only nation that has featured in every World Cup and to have won the prestigious tournament five times, Brazil will be determined to continue their dominance by picking up their sixth title in Russia.
Brazil breezed through the CONMEBOL qualifiers, only losing one of their 18 games on their way to top spot.
In a relatively straightforward group and with a squad jam-packed full of quality, Selecao should have no difficulty in not only topping Group E but reaching the latter stages of the competition.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Brazil's excellence all over the park is their undoubted strength. Not just a team with attacking flair, Brazil's superb holding midfielders as well as the uber-experienced and high-calibre centre-back pairing of Thiago Silva and Miranda, are the perfect foundation for Brazil's talent to shine.
Typical of Brazilian players, even their defence-minded individuals are capable of tricking their way past opponents and providing assists or even scoring themselves.
A weakness of Brazil is their tendency to throw up an unexpected poor performance. Perhaps the most salient example of this was their 7-1 capitulation in front of their home fans against Germany at the last World Cup. Brazil will be desperate to right the wrongs of that humiliating performance.
Best Player
Now at the peak age of 26, Neymar is primed to win this World Cup single handedly.
The world's most expensive footballer has only grown in stature since joining French giants Paris St Germain, and he will no doubt relish the opportunity to once again demonstrate his lethal attacking abilities in front of a global audience.
Player to Watch
Gabriel Jesus looks to be the heir apparent of the number nine role which has yet to be filled adequately since the retirement of the legendary Ronaldo.
The Manchester City young gun was keeping Sergio Aguero out of Pep Guardiola's starting eleven when both were fit. With pace, skill, and the ability to finish off either foot, Jesus will look to combine with Neymar, Coutinho and Willian and cause havoc for opposition defenders.
"In the last 6 World Cups, Brazil have made it to at least the quarter-final stage"
Betting Tip
Brazil to make the quarter finals @ $1.50. With their quality all over the park and World Cup record, Brazil look to be certainties to make the quarters again. The $5.50 on offer to go all the way is also worth a throw at the stumps.
Switzerland: A brick wall at the back
The Swiss team's current world ranking of sixth may come as a surprise to some, given the lack of star names hailing from the Alpine nation.
But star names don't always equate to success and so it goes with Switzerland, whose superb organisation and quality in defence makes them one of the hardest teams to break down in world football.
In the European qualifiers, Switzerland were just pipped by Portugal on goal difference to narrowly miss out on top spot in their group. This left the Swiss needing to go through a playoff against Northern Ireland, where their steely defence ensured a 1-0 aggregate victory over two legs.
Strengths & Weaknesses
There is no going past the almost-impenetrable brick wall at the back for Switzerland.
Centre-back Fabian Schar is flanked by captain Stephan Lichtsteiner and Ricardo Rodriguez at right and left back respectively. When an opposition player does manage to breach the wall, underrated goalkeeper Yann Sommer is on hand to tidy up.
As Switzerland can't be good at everything, it is their attacking threat that naturally sticks out as their key weakness. Despite having Xherdan Shaqiri who possesses deadly finishing skills as well as a pair of calves which are as wide as he is tall, Switzerland are a team that struggles to score goals.
Best Player
Considered among the best left-backs in the world, AC Milan's Ricardo Rodriguez is Switzerland's standout player. He will be crucial in not only maintaining Switzerland's imposing defensive record, but also in contributing to Swiss attacks.
A set-piece specialist, Rodriguez's left boot often distributes with pinpoint accuracy and he is more than capable of whipping in crosses from anywhere in the final third.
Player to Watch
Having broken into Borussia Dortmund's starting eleven in the latter stages of the 2017/8 season, Manuel Akanji is one of Switzerland's best young prospects.
A tall and mobile centre-back, Akanji has five national caps to his name. He will look to establish himself as one of Switzerland's starting CB's in Russia and continue the siege defensive mentality for many years to come.
"The Swiss have kept a clean sheet in 10 of their last 12 matches"
Betting Tip
Switzerland to qualify from Group E @ $2.05. Even the Brazilians will find it difficult to penetrate the Swiss defence. They may not play the most attractive football but if it can get them to sixth in the world, then it should be enough to see them get out of this group.
Costa Rica: Out to repeat 2014 heroics
Coming into the 2014 World Cup group as unfancied outsiders, not even the most one-eyed Costa Rican could have predicted that they would top their group which contained Uruguay, Italy and England.
It didn't end there, with Los Ticos beating Greece on penalties to secure a quarter final berth. They then pushed the highly fancied Dutch into penalties but came up short.
The most historically successful team from Central America, you can be sure that Costa Rica won't be underestimated again. This might just count against them in Russia, where group opponents will be wary of the danger that Costa Rica poses, especially on the counterattack.
Strengths & Weaknesses
The experience in Costa Rica's squad, particularly in big-games, will stand them in good stead. They are a squad who can rally around each other, especially in the major tournaments.
While Costa Rica have been known to get up for the big games, they lack the individual quality to be a consistently good team. With a deep-sitting and counterattacking style, Los Ticos will have to be defensively superb to repel the likes of Brazil for 90 minutes, which will surely prove beyond their ability.
Best Player
Keylor Navas was instrumental in Costa Rica's run to the quarter finals in Brazil, earning an illustrious transfer to Real Madrid for his efforts. Since playing his club football with the Spanish giants, Navas's shot-stopping has only improved.
Despite lacking the stature of other top goalkeepers, Navas' reflexes and positional sense are unsurpassed and you can be sure he'll pull off more spectacular saves in Russia.
Player to Watch
Joel Campbell is a player with bags of ability, but who has never really enjoyed consistent playing time with a club.
On Arsenal's books since 2011, Campbell has been repeatedly loaned out to several clubs in a period that has been blighted with injury.
Despite now being 25 years old, this World Cup presents the perfect opportunity for Campbell to sell his wares and demonstrate how deadly he can be in front of goal.
"Costa Rica have lost 4 of their last 5 games, including a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Spain"
Betting Tip
Costa Rica to finish bottom of group E @ $1.75. With an ageing squad, their 2014 heroics look unlikely to be repeated and you couldn't back them to go well on previous form.
Serbia: Need to cure their homesickness
After almost two decades of disappointment from their national team, Serbia finally look to have put their talent together, with the potential to upset their opponents in Russia.
With several high-class players in their midst, The Eagles need to translate that quality into success on the field.
Serbia's recent success was highlighted by an impressive qualification campaign, in which they finished top of their group to ensure the likes of Gareth Bale's Wales didn't qualify in the process.
The Serbs' qualification run was built off the back of their impressive home form in Belgrade. It remains to be seen whether they can produce the goods when playing away from home.
Strengths & Weaknesses
If Serbia escape Group E, it will be down to their midfield. Alongside the class and grit of Nemanja Matic is Luka Milovojevic, who has had an outstanding season with club side Crystal Palace in the EPL.
A defence-minded player, Milovojevic top-scored for Palace with 10 goals, whilst providing composure on the ball in the middle of the park.
With Southampton's attacking talisman Dusan Tadic and Torino's Adem Ljajic, both capable of unlocking any defence, Serbia's midfield couldn't ask for anything more. Oh, and don't forget Sergej Milinkovic-Savic who is tipped for a big money transfer to Manchester United in the coming months.
Despite having plenty of experience, it is Serbia's back four that is a concern. While Branislav Ivanovic and Aleksandar Kolorov were superb in past seasons, they have passed their prime and lack the pace to deal with the fast feet of Brazil's forwards.
Best Player
Definitely Matic, the midfield giant who relishes breaking up opposition play, which has become his forte with first Chelsea and now Manchester United in the EPL.
A skilful passer of the ball, Matic can also let a long-range shot fly from distance, posing a genuine goal threat.
Player to Watch
Still only 23, Aleksandar Mitrovic will be leading the line for Serbia. A player with bags of potential, Mitrovic was inconsistent and ill-tempered at Newcastle FC before being loaned out to Championship side Fulham where he has turned his game around. Look for him to inspire his team from the front.
"Serbia haven't progressed beyond the group stage of a major tournament since Euro 2000"
Betting Tip
Serbia to exit at the group stages @ $1.72. Their match against Switzerland will be enormous but expect their unproven ability to get results in big games on foreign soil to be their downfall.
Jun 07, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
Brazil: World Cup icons looking for number 6 
Switzerland: A brick wall at the back
Costa Rica: Out to repeat 2014 heroics
Serbia: Need to cure their homesickness
